Something white-hot flares inside me, and even though I know it's not smart, even though I amverysure that this is precisely the type of move that's going to get a rise out of him, I can't stop myself.
"I'd like to see you try."
Immediately, I pull myself away and hurry toward the stairs. I'm not giving Marcus a second longer to think about what he wants to do about my little comment.
Iamgoing for that run, and I need to get dressed.
3
Marcus
That princess is going to be the death of me.
The entire day has been a back-and-forth with her—push and pull, provocation and reaction.
Between the stunt she pulled after her shower and disappearing through a door that wasn't marked on the library blueprint, I'm at the end of my rope.
"What? I was sweaty. I needed to shower, and now I'm hungry."
She had the nerve to walk out of her bedroom in a fucking towel while I waited outside. Lila could've gotten a snack fully clothed, and we both knew it.
And the library? It was like she wanted me to punish her. I fought thoughts about bending her over my knee and spanking that ass of hers until it was bright red all damn day.
Right on cue, the image materializes in my brain. I can see her wearing that stupidly short skirt as I fold her over my lap.
She'd claw at my leg, thrashing until she finally sat still and took her well-earned punishment.
Marcus, fucking hell. You need to stop. This is a terrible idea. I should call Boss and have him send someone else.
It really is the right thing to do. I'm clearly way too attracted to this little minx, and that's going nowhere good.
She's a client. She's younger than me. And from what I understand, she's going to get engaged to some schmuck who works beneath her father.
Her father mentioned it in the briefing, though he didn't mention how long they'd been dating or why he's not the one here making sure Lila is safe.
The door opens next to me, and I shove off the wall as Lila comes out. She's been in that room for forty-five minutes getting ready for dinner.
"Did you forget how to dress yourself or?—"
My words die in my throat when I get a look at her.
Lila is wearing a black dress. It's long-sleeved with a turtleneck top, but there is nothing modest about it.
It's painted onto her, hugging every curve. It's also obscenely short, and a wave of something dark washes over me.
No one in the entire goddamn world should be looking at her when she looks like that. No one but me.
It takes everything to shake off the thoughts. I have to physically turn away from her so I don't wind up grabbing hold of her thighs and hauling her into my arms.
"I'm expected to look nice for dinner every night, Marcus. Didn't Father tell you that?"
I glare, narrowing my eyes. "He did not. And I have a feeling that's not what he had in mind."
Glancing down at herself, Lila frowns slightly, then pops her head back up, her eyes shining with barely hidden amusement.
"What? It's a dress." She saunters off in front of me, and I can't keep myself from staring right at her ass. "Let's go. We're going to be late."
Shaking myself again, I catch up with Lila quickly, rounding the corner of the long hallway as she walks to the dining room.
